Caral, officially known as the Sacred City of Caral-Supe, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in the Supe Valley, province of Barranca, Lima region, approximately at kilometer 184 of the Pan-American Highway North.
Its inhabitants built monuments, sunken circular plazas, and residential complexes that show a high level of social organization and urban planning.
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Caral is considered the oldest city in the Americas. It developed during the Late Archaic period, approximately between 3000 and 1800 B.C.
Unlike other ancient civilizations in the world, Caral developed independently in the central Andes, while maintaining exchange networks with societies from the coast, the valleys, and other regions. These exchange networks supported its development in activities such as fishing, agriculture, architecture, astronomical observation, and music. Its social organization, monumental architecture, and ceremonial practices influenced later cultural processes on the coast and in the Andes of Peru.
Caral is located in the middle valley of the Supe River, on a large terrace situated about 350 meters above sea level.
The most comfortable way to visit Caral from Lima is to book a tour that includes round-trip transportation.
If you decide to go on your own, you should follow these steps:
Your journey begins in the city of Lima. From there, you should take public transportation to the city of Supe. You can find buses to Supe at the Plaza Norte terminal or at other authorized departure points. It is advisable to confirm schedules and availability before traveling.
Once in Supe, you should go to the city market. There you will find the shared taxi stop that goes to the archaeological site of Caral. The trip takes around 30 minutes. Upon arriving at the entrance gate, you will need to walk about 20 minutes along a path until you reach the Sacred City of Caral.
It is one of the most impressive public buildings in Caral. It consists of a sunken circular plaza and a pyramid with stepped platforms. Due to its dominant position, it would have fulfilled political, administrative, and religious functions within the city.
This architectural complex stands out for its relationship with the city’s construction activities. Its name is associated with its proximity to stone extraction areas used in the buildings. Like other monumental buildings in Caral, it has platforms, enclosures, and spaces linked to ceremonial and administrative functions.
The Minor Pyramid is one of the smaller buildings within the monumental complex. Even so, it remains important within Caral’s urban organization, as it formed part of the system of public buildings intended for administrative and ceremonial activities.
It is one of the largest structures in Caral and stands out for its enclosures associated with ceremonial and sociopolitical activities. South of the Gallery Pyramid, there is a group of enclosures associated with this construction. Their characteristics show their use for ceremonial and sociopolitical activities linked to the high status of its officials.
It receives this name because of the orientation of its central staircase in relation to the monolith or huanca. It would have fulfilled ceremonial and administrative functions.
A housing complex located on the southern esplanade of the upper half of the city. The houses are arranged in subgroups with their façades facing the central plaza.
It is a large esplanade toward which the façades of Caral’s pyramids and residences were oriented. Traces of different posts show the periodic installation of tents for the exchange of products. During an early stage, a group of interconnected enclosures was built on this esplanade. Its function changed over time.
A ceremonial structure located within the inner complex of the Amphitheater Temple. With a clearly ritual character, its use was restricted.
It is associated with the settlement of Chupacigarro and represents a head facing east. It was built through careful planning and knowledge of perspective and proportion in relation to astronomical observations. It is believed that it may have been related to the observation of time and natural phenomena important to the activities of its inhabitants.
Caral has a site museum where you can clearly and visually learn about the importance of this civilization in the history of Peru.
Room 1: Introduction
Room 2: Caral, one of the oldest civilizations in the world.
Room 3: A life in harmony between human beings and nature.
Room 4: Management of the Andean territory with a watershed vision and the importance of interaction and exchange.
Room 5: Social organization and construction of community works.
Room 6: Gender complementarity and the role of women.
Room 7: Identification of problems and search for solutions through the production of knowledge, science, and technology.
Room 8: Comprehensive development of human beings in harmony with art and music in social life.
Room 9: Social memory, crisis, and lessons learned from the Caral civilization.
Room 10: Social interaction with respect for cultural and ideological diversity.
Reference hours: Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is recommended to confirm the updated schedule before your visit.
General adults: S/ 11.00
Students and teachers: S/ 4.00
Schoolchildren and minors up to 17 years old: S/ 1.00
People over 60 years old, accredited teachers, and people in voluntary military service: S/ 5.50
During your visit, we advise you to bring:
Why Is It So Important?
It is the oldest urban center in the Americas and the cradle of Andean civilization, contemporary with the great pyramids of Egypt.
Is It True That It Was a Peaceful Society?
Research has found no clear evidence of weapons, defensive walls, or armed conflicts, so Caral is considered to have had a mainly peaceful organization. Its development was based on the exchange of products, astronomical observation, and agriculture, with important crops such as cotton.
Who Discovered Caral?
Although the site was already known, systematic research led by Peruvian archaeologist Ruth Shady since the 1990s made it possible to demonstrate the antiquity and complexity of the Caral civilization.
Why Does Its Architecture Stand Out?
The Caral civilization built large stepped pyramids and used shicras, bags made of plant fiber filled with stones, as part of its construction techniques. In addition, some plazas and buildings are related to astronomical observations.
How Long Does the Tour Last?
The guided visit usually takes around 3 hours. If you have more time, you can combine it with the archaeological site of Áspero to better understand Caral’s relationship with the coast and the exchange of products.
What Is the Weather Like and What Should I Bring?
The climate is warm and sunny for much of the year. It is recommended to bring light clothing, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and water, as well as comfortable shoes for walking on sand and uneven ground.
Where Can I Book a Tour?
At CuscoPeru.com, we offer information about tour packages and booking options, organizing your trip safely and affordably.
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